The University of Pittsburgh will lease the Wellington Apartment building in case there’s a need for student overflow housing this fall.
University trustees on the property and finance committee on Tuesday approved a five-year housing lease at the Wellington Apartments, 245 Melwood Ave.
Pitt Spokesman Jared Stonesifer said the university is targeting the lease to start Aug. 1.
It will provide 81 apartment-style units, totaling 148 beds.
“The University of Pittsburgh has had the good fortune of increased freshman classes and expects to accommodate a fall 2026 freshman class of approximately 5,200 students,” said Dwayne Pinkney, Pitt’s chief financial officer. “The university has both accommodated student housing needs by both adding capacity to buildings owned by Pitt, and by entering into block leases with external landlords.”
Last fall, Pitt leased space for more than 400 additional beds, including: Webster Hall Apartments at 101 N. Dithridge St., the Hampton Inn at 3315 Hamlet St. and Pennsylvania Apartments at 300 N. Dithridge St. The university also added nearly 300 beds by reconfiguring existing facilities, including the Franklin Apartments at 305 Atwood St.
Pitt will continue to lease the Hampton Inn for another year, and maintain the block lease for the Pennsylvania Apartments “to accommodate the current student demand,” Stonesifer said. Pitt will not renew its current lease with Webster Hall Apartments next year.
“By leasing student housing in blocks, Pitt has the ability to provide supportive student services,” Pinkney said.
Wellington is less than three-quarters of a mile from the Cathedral of Learning, and less than a half mile from three other residential buildings, Pinkney said. Pitt will work closely with public safety and student affairs to make sure students in Wellington will have access to similar programs as traditional residential dorms, Pinkney said.
“It makes it relatively walkable and accessible to shuttle and city transit routes,” Pinkney said. “The building will feature similar furniture to our other apartment-style housing, it will have secure entry, and in-building laundry.”
The lease has a five-year renewal option.
Pinkney said officials will review occupancy rates, student satisfaction and financial performance when considering the renewal.
Stonesifer declined to disclose the cost of the lease.
“We’ll ensure that the renewal decision remains a strategic decision and be aligned with the needs of students and consistent with the campus master plan for residential housing,” Pinkney said.
Pitt officials say prices for student housing in block leases are consistent with other, university-owned housing.
In addition, Pitt is in a design-build selection process for a 400-bed, first-year residence hall at a parking lot adjacent to the Music Building and annex along Fifth Avenue at Bellefield.
